EU Statement – UN Security Council: Open debate on Effective Multilateralism

 - AS DELIVERED -

I thank you.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, the potential candidate country Georgia, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

Let me start by stating the obvious. By organizing this debate Russia is trying to portray itself as a defender of the UN Charter and multilateralism. Nothing can be further from the truth. If Russia was truly interested in the topic on today’s agenda, it would cease its violations of the UN Charter and international law and immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine. It would respect the order of the International Court of Justice of 16 March 2022. It would stop abusing its veto power to cover up its consistent rule-breaking. And it would abide by the resolutions adopted with an overwhelming majority by the UN General Assembly. Russia’s failure to do so brings the Security Council into disrepute, and only more so during its Presidency this month. Today is yet another deplorable example of Russian information manipulation, disinformation, and abuse of its membership of the Security Council.

I also underline at the outset that Russia’s violations have come at a high cost. The Ukrainian people have paid the heaviest price, but the damaging impacts are felt across the world. In close dialogue with our partners, the EU has stepped up to address the global consequences of Russia’s war. In this context I want to reassure the members of this Council that every effort in support of Ukraine has come in addition to, and not instead of, our global commitments.

Despite the blatant hypocrisy of this initiative, effective multilateralism is too important to not be defended. As the EU’s High Representative Josep Borrell stated recently in this Chamber, our world is suffering from an immense deficit in multilateralism. Conflicts are proliferating, the climate crisis is spiralling out of control, democracy and human rights are under systematic attack, and global inequalities are deepening. There is no shortage of global challenges that need our urgent and full attention.

Upholding the rules-based order, a term that Russia deliberately misinterprets, means respecting international law and the UN Charter, and ensuring that these rules apply to everyone. In one phrase, that might does not make right. It means engaging in multilateral diplomacy to work out new rules as necessary.

Like many other members of this Organization, the EU and its Member States are doing their part. For almost 80 years we have supported the United Nations and its three interlinked pillars: peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. We do this both politically and financially, as the largest collective contributor to the UN budget.  Our action is based on our deep conviction that there is no alternative to a strong United Nations as catalyst of effective multilateralism.

It is no secret that the UN and our system of global governance – including this Council - are in need of reform. The Secretary-General has provided us with a dire analysis of its shortcomings in his report ‘Our Common Agenda’. He reiterated that this morning. He has also presented an urgent call for action to reinvigorate multilateralism, making it a more inclusive and more effective way of working, as a bulwark against uncertainty as he said this morning. The EU stands fully behind this vision and is committed to delivering on it with an ambitious outcome at next year’s ‘Summit of the Future’. Last week’s recommendations by the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism serve as contributions into our deliberations.

The EU and its Member States are committed to engaging in a sincere and open exchange on an equal footing with other Members of the UN to jointly address our common challenges. And we are convinced we have a lot to bring to the table.

We have a strong track record of cooperation with the UN on peace and security. At the moment, we have 21 civilian and military missions deploying over 5000 women and men around the world, from Niger to Armenia and from Mozambique to Ukraine. We are proud to partner closely with the UN in all our crisis management operations. In Libya, Operation IRINI contributes to the implementation of the UN arms embargo and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Operation Althea assists the authorities in maintaining a secure environment for all citizens.  We support the Secretary-General’s call for a New Agenda for Peace and reiterate our commitment to adequate, predictable and sustainable financing of AU-led peace support operations. The EU supports the use of UN-assessed contributions for AU-led operations authorised by the UN Security Council, and the implementation of the AU human rights compliance framework in this context.

Our efforts to maintain peace and security are closely linked with our ability to promote sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda remains our universal and indivisible roadmap, and we must accelerate its implementation. The SDG Summit in September will be a crucial moment. As a sign of our commitment, the EU will submit a Voluntary Review at the High-Level Political Forum. The EU Global Gateway – mobilizing 300 billion EUR of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects in line with the SDGs – will be our tool for progress.

We also need far more ambitious climate and biodiversity action by accelerating the green transition in a just way. The EU’s Green Deal puts us on track to meet our climate commitments and we are the largest contributor of public climate and biodiversity finance worldwide with 24 billion EUR per year.

Far too many people are left behind when it comes to the enjoyment of human rights. The EU will continue to vigorously promote and defend the universality and indivisibility of human rights within the UN system. Our joint commitment to human rights is contained in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which celebrates 75 years this year. We are strong advocates of the integrity, independence and functionality of the UN human rights mechanisms. We also support the Secretary-General’s New Vision of the rule of law that puts people at the centre of justice systems. We are committed to strengthening transitional justice and accountability for serious violations and abuses of human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law. The international community must remain firmly committed to ensure accountability for the crimes committed in and against Ukraine. The EU also remains a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court and we continue to call for the universal ratification of the Rome Statute.

Effective multilateralism is making a difference. At the UN, we have often managed to find pragmatic and agile solutions, or throw our support behind the lead of regional organizations such as the African Union. Some recent, concrete examples:

• On a daily basis, UN-led humanitarian assistance saves the lives of people affected by natural disasters and armed conflict. We call on new and non-traditional humanitarian donors to step up their contributions in line with OCHA’s appeals.
• The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the Secretary-General, has bolstered global food security, and needs to be fully implemented and extended.
• The veto initiative to convene the General Assembly automatically every time a veto is cast, increases transparency and accountability.
• The High Seas Treaty will ensure protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. And the agreement on the Global Biodiversity Framework provides an action agenda for the next decade.
• The African Union’s mediation proved invaluable in advancing peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia.
• And the UN is leading the removal of over a million barrels of oil from the decaying Safer tanker off Yemen’s coast with a view to averting a humanitarian and environmental disaster.

Across the daunting spectrum of global challenges, the EU is proud to work with its partners around the world in leading the multilateral response. We pay tribute to the courage and professionalism of UN staff around the world, dedicated to defending the UN Charter and protecting those most in need. And we will be relentless in our commitment to upholding international law and to working as a force for inclusive peace, sustainable development and the promotion and protection of human rights.

This cannot be said for everyone around this table.

As we speak, Russia is violating the UN Charter with its war of aggression against Ukraine. On 23 February, the UN General Assembly reiterated its demand that Russia immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. 141 Member States supported this demand. If Russia cares about effective multilateralism, that is the first way to prove it.

I thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.